a-Pair-a-Day: Bend

Inspiration: Bend.

I wanted this pair to turn out a certain way. I experimented, trying to push the design to hang perfectly. The end product from my pushing turned out to be too damn busy. So I took the earrings apart and put them back together in a way that embraces how the hoops hang and the wire holds the beads. This pair will often not hang symmetrically, and sometimes the beads might turn in opposite directions. They remind me to stay flexible and keep my mind open to possibilities.

These earrings feature wooden discs strung between round ceramic orange beads. The beads are connected to an aluminum hoop via silver craft wire. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Slow Down

Inspiration: Slow down.

This weekend is busy. It is comprised of a full day of work, evening travel to Cape Cod, and then Sunday adventures with a few of my oldest friends. I find myself rushing to get everything done, like packing and paperwork. I need to remind myself to SLOW DOWN. Seriously. Slow your roll, Chrissy. Take a deep breath.

These earrings feature silver craft wire hoops, which hang from rectangular earth-toned stone beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Ask

Inspiration: Ask.

I'm bad at asking for help. I sucked it up last night, though, and asked Erik to watch the baby so that I could work on the pair of earrings featured today. Having that 15 minutes to focus made the difference, causing me to feel less like my head was going to explode with my to-do list. I need to make asking for help my mantra.

These earrings feature cloudy light turquoise and white porcelain beads. Brass findings taken from a vintage bracelet dangle from the beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Luck

Inspiration: Luck.

I am feeling lucky today: My mom watched Gabe while I went to do some annual doctor appointment type stuff. I met up with a good friend for lunch. I came home, and my baby smiled at me as he lazed with his bottle. The rain and the humidity of the past few days finally burnt off, and the sun was out. Erik came home early and did Gabe's bedtime routine so that I could work on earrings. I am fortunate to have the life I do, and I don't ever want to forget that.

These lucky earrings feature tiny copper pennies, dangling below blue glass oblong beads. I found the pennies on a costume jewelry necklace that features other types of change, such as quarters. (It's strange and wonderful and will most likely be incorporated into other pairs.) Stacked silver rings top the beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/3 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Fit

Inspiration: Fit.

Today has been busy: Appointments, errands, household to-dos. Getting everything done felt like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle while a tiny baby tries to eat the pieces. I managed to fit this pair into the day while Gabe napped--they felt like a major achievement!

These earrings feature red and silver drops, which I reclaimed from a second-hand pair discovered in a little thrift shop on Cape Cod. The silver discs and findings were taken from a pair of deconstructed hoops. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

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a-Pair-a-Day: True

Inspiration: True.

Sometimes you just know when something feels right. I experienced this delicious feeling of truth while designing these earrings: My focus narrowed, my thoughts slowed down, and (finally) I relaxed. Creating this pair felt right.

These earrings feature brass links reclaimed from a vintage necklace. The links hang from gold craft wire threaded through turquoise beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches.